Power of Rings

[elronds_daughter]

Thanks for the quotes, Saphy, and thanks everyone for the insight! I read your posts and think: Why didn't I think of that?? Once again, I have overlooked the things directly under my nose.

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

The Dwarves however could not "fade" and become wraiths, nor could Sauron tamper much with their thoughts. (Neithan)

Dwarves resisted the power of the Three [remaining Dwarven Rings] otherwise they would have become wraiths as well, but they only became somewhat greedier. (lathspell)

(From Infinite Nazgul Combo by Me.)

I think Sauron's plan was to create Dwarven Nazgûl. He was using the same lure as for Men: it'll give you what you most desire in the world (in exchange for your will). Only it failed, due to the Dwarves' ill enduring of the domination of others.

I think it is appropriate that Gandalf has the ring of fire since he is also wielder of the Seret Flam of Anor (unless that in itself is a veiled reference to Narya) (Mithalwen)

For more references to the Secret Fire and Narya, see Wielding the Flame of Anor by Keep'.

[Osse]

Narya was said to "kindle a flame in the hearts" of people the wearer came in contact with - ie. the wearer became a motivator, a lord of people resources as it were. Cirdan presented to Gandalf the ring, as his foresight saw the need for it in the Maia's future.

This brings up the questions of how strong the power of motivation is, and in what cases Gandalf used the powers - generally over the course of the story of LOTR, but also in select instances - the reawakening of Theoden for instance?

And of course the wearer had a profound ability to harness the forces of fire - seen through the example of Gandalf's fireworks, and his use of fire against the Wargs in both Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.

[tar-ancalime]

Originally posted by Neithan:

(Dwarves being an exeption because they are both mortal and not mortal if you take my meaning).

Actually, I don't. Could you explain this? Thanks.

[Neithan]

Actually, I don't. Could you explain this? Thanks.

Basically what I was saying was that true mortals leave Arda entirely when they die but Dwarves do not. Dwarves stay in the Halls of Mandos until the end of the world. Elves are said to be "immortal" because they come back from the Halls. Men are mortals because they leave from those Halls to go wherever. Dwarves do neither of these things and that is what I was getting at. The fact that they (appearently) are not turned invisable by the Rings is probably due to the manner of their creation (the same reason that their fate is different).

[tar-ancalime]

Thanks! I didn't know that.

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

The concept of Dwarves being unaffected because of their dissimilar origin and fate got me thinking.

In the Nine Rings, Sauron bounds the Nazgûl's existence on Arda to the One. He was just playing on Morgoth's original plans (making Men fear the outside dark--i.e. beyond the walls of Eä). Of course, considering how he brought about the Downfall of Númenor, he must have been using it for the longest time. But the Nine was the consummation of this plan.

With this said the Nazgûl become more fallen than anything I could comprehend. They must have done evil things, and feared the fate that awaits them when they die. So they allied themselves to Sauron, and they became his greatest servants. They had to protect the One to protect themselves from what they truly fear.

Sorry for disjointed thought--just thinking and typing as I go.